BMW B58 vs 0.9 TCe: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW B58 carries less risk than the 0.9 TCe: 38/100 versus 49/100 (both moderate risk). The BMW B58 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Failure of the oil pump with a plastic rotor housing»; the 0.9 TCe has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Coolant leak at the thermostat housing».

Risk index

BMW B58

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

0.9 TCe

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

Reviewed on 9 October 202612 sources How we work

Is the BMW B58 reliable?

The B58 (3.0 turbo straight-six, since 2015) is considered robust and less troublesome than the N54/N55 it replaced, and the sources do not document widespread internal failures. The known faults are on the periphery: the plastic oil filter housing, crankcase ventilation, gaskets and coolant. On units built before 2021 there are also US reports of an oil pump with a plastic housing.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 6 of the BMW B58 faults

Is the 0.9 TCe reliable?

The 0.9 TCe (H4Bt) is a three-cylinder turbo with a good reliability reputation, better than that of its sibling the 1.2 TCe: it does not share the same oil consumption or the same rate of chain problems. Its most-cited weak point is a coolant leak at the thermostat housing, which if ignored can end up damaging the head gasket; chain, turbo and lambda sensor cases appear less often.^[5][6]

See the 5 of the 0.9 TCe faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B58 and 0.9 TCe
Item	BMW B58	0.9 TCe
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	2,998 cm³	898 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	290–441 hp	90 hp
Production	since 2015^[7][8]	2012–2024^{[5][6][9][10][11]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	38Moderate risk	49Moderate risk
Documented faults	6	5
Of high or critical severity	1	3
Worst severity	High severity	Critical severity
Main faults	High severity: Failure of the oil pump with a plastic rotor housing Medium severity: Oil and coolant leak from the plastic oil filter housing Medium severity: Failure of the crankcase ventilation PCV valve (integrated in the valve cover)	High severity: Coolant leak at the thermostat housing Critical severity: Timing chain or tensioner failure High severity: Turbocharger wear or failure
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	B58TU2 381 hp (B58B30M2, since 2022)^[2][3]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	B58 326 hp (B58B30M0, 2015-2019)^[2][3][12] B58 340-360 hp (B58B30M0, 2016-2019)^[2][3][12] B58TU 333-340 hp (B58B30M1, since 2018)^[2][3] B58TU 374 hp (B58B30O1, M340i, M440i and M240i, since 2019)^[3]	0.9 TCe 90 (H4Bt, 2012-2024)^[5][6]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

BMW B58

See the 16 models with the BMW B58

0.9 TCe

See the 8 models with the 0.9 TCe

Other comparisons

With the BMW B58

With the 0.9 TCe

Compare other engines

First engine

Second engine

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

The 5 Most Common BMW B58 Engine ProblemsBMW Tuning · Technical documentation · published 7 February 2020 · consulted 9 October 2026
BMW B58 EngineFCP Euro · Technical documentation · consulted 9 October 2026
The Popular BMW B58 Inline-Six Engine Has One Big Achilles HeelThe Autopian · Motoring press · published 14 June 2024 · consulted 9 October 2026
¿En qué se diferencian los motores B58 y S58 de BMW?Diariomotor · Motoring press · published 27 April 2024 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in Spanish
Fiabilité des 0.9 TCeFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Moteur H Renault-NissanWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
BMW B58Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
BMW B58Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
Mercedes-Benz M281 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Renault ClioWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Dacia SanderoWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
How A Plastic Part On BMW's B58 Engine Can Turn An Oil Change Into A $3,000 RepairThe Autopian · Motoring press · published 28 March 2025 · consulted 9 October 2026